Popularity of knives with LEDs

DaveH · Jan 20, 2000

I know Spyderco make a knife at one time called the Firefly I believe.

I've seen the Myerchin (sp?) LED knife but was not impressed with it's quality. What I was wondering was I was thinking generation II kind of idea. Spyderco Endura with two white led's (one on each side of blade), illuminating the blade (if open). Waterproof battery compartment would be perfect.

Comments?

DaveH

MNH · Jan 20, 2000

Somehow a flashlight on a knife seems a little like a fish on a bicycle to me.

Mike

Frank · Jan 20, 2000

A light on an SAK or a little keychain knife seems OK but most Spydercos are heavier duty working knives.

djung · Jan 21, 2000

There was a small Sakai light-knife combo a few years back. The problem with all of the combo units is battery size and life. Also it is very common for batteries to leak as they get old. I think the best way to go is to have a dedicated knife and a small inexpensive light. A compromise rarely turns out as well as first envisioned.
Dave Jung

UW Mitch · Jan 21, 2000

Just put your Spyderco in your pocket and photon 2 on your keychain! Problem solved.

~Mitch

Ferret · Jan 21, 2000

err, a Maglite works for me. My job involves wandering around in darkness tooled up. We tend to hold the Maggie in our teeth which cuts down on conversation a bit and certainly discourages anyone borrowing your torch!!

Nakano 2 · Jan 21, 2000

Actually the Firefly (Hotaru) was a very usefull and functional knife/ light combo. The part serrated blade is very sharp and the thumb stud is quite usable even for such a tiny folder. The yellow LED was much left to be desired though. I replaced it with a red LED acquired from Radio Shack and the light output was tenfold! It served both as an emergency signal if needed and a night lite to help preserve nightime vision. As for the batteries, I believe they were of a lithium type and could be stored for quite some time and is user replacable. All in all a nice package.

L8r,
Nakano

copfish · Jan 22, 2000

I have purchased/traded several Hotaru from Forumites (Thanks Jim and Nakano!). One is on my keychain (a white LED that Nakano modified) and my wife has a yellow that Jim sent me. They are great little keychain knives. Take a heck of an edge and the light is useful. Now Fish on a bicycle is a commmon sight in Woodland Park, as I bike to the Post Office, Gunshop, and grocery store.

MNH · Jan 21, 2000

Copfish!

On a bicycle? I honk next time I end up out in your part of the country.

Mike

Fozzy · Jan 21, 2000

I have a couple of the Hotaru knives. An example of a well made light/knife.

The LEDs are easily changed. Just be aware that some of the high-output LED's, especially white may drain the battery really fast. Actually, it's a super easy modification.

It's go a wicked little blade too!

Ben

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"If you're upside down and burning, you probably went too fast."